I test vacuums for a living these are the 3 best cheap stick vacuums you can buy

Date:
Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:40:03 +0000

Description:
All of these vacuums deliver reliable, efficient cleaning without breaking
the bank with prices starting as low as 169.99.

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No one wants to spend a fortune on something as mundane as a vacuum cleaner, but choosing a cheap vacuum is a risky process pick the wrong one and you'll be wasting your money on a model that won't clean properly and needs
replacing before its time.

I've tested dozens of vacuums at different price points, and I have good
news: there are affordable vacuums about that do a sterling cleaning job, without breaking the bank. Below, I've rounded up the best cheap vacuums to buy, and found the best deal on each to save you from having to shop around.

I've tested two of the three personally, and all come from reliable,
respected brands that have considerable expertise in this area. In fact, the #1 pick also sits right at the top of my best cordless vacuum ranking. Read
on for my favorite cheap vacuums... 1. Dreame R20 (Image credit: Future)

The Dreame R20 is just a really solid all-rounder for a very affordable
price. It's relatively easy to find around the 200 mark, and you're getting features and extras that usually command a much higher price. There's automatic suction adjustment based on dirt detected, generous runtimes, and a separate soft floorhead designed for hard flooring (it'll get right up close to the surface and buff it clean without risking scratches). There's also a mini motorized upholstery tool that's amongst the best I've used at removing pet hair from furniture.

In my review the Dreame R20 achieved solid scores across the board when it came to cleaning, performing especially well in my deep carpet and pet hair tests. It's not the suckiest cleaner I've used (the V8 below is a better choice if outright power is your priority) but it'll be more than adequate
for most people's needs.

Deals crop up regularly on this model, but right now the best price I've
found is at Peter Tyson, where it's down to just under 200. That's a deal
I've seen before but it's outstanding value for what you're getting this vacuum is a very capable cleaner and comes with a wide selection of useful attachments, too. View Deal 2. Dyson V8 Advanced (Image credit: Future)

If your priority is suction power, this is the affordable vacuum I'd go for. It's simpler than the Dreame there's no automatic suction adjustment, and just two power modes to toggle between and it comes with fewer attachments. However, what it lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for in outright power. If you have lots of carpet or shedding pets to clean up after, this is the vacuum to go for.

The V8 is the oldest model in the current Dyson cordless lineup, and there is a very slightly updated version with 130AW of power rather than the original 115AW. Slightly confusingly, there's also an even more updated option, called the Dyson V8 Cyclone it's better all round, but deals are rare so expect to pay more if you opt for that version.

Dyson discounts are less common than you'll find with other brands, but they do crop up on occasion. The best price I've spotted on the V8 right now is direct from Dyson, where there's 30% off list price. That's a really strong deal on this model it's very rare to see it cheaper, and you're getting outstanding cleaning performance for the money. View Deal 3. Shark Corded Stick vacuum HZ500UKT (Image credit: Shark)

Opting for a corded vacuum rather than a cordless one is a great way to maximize your bang for buck, and this one from Shark is excellent value for money. As a general rule of thumb, corded vacuums tend to deliver better suction than cordless, and last longer overall too.

While I haven't tested this exact model, we have reviewed other, similar corded stick vacuums from Shark and they've impressed us ( here's an example review ). In fact, Shark is one of my favorite vacuum brands, and
consistently earns high scores. The features look good too there's no automatic suction adjustment, as you'll find on the Dreame (#1), but this vacuum has a handy forward-bending wand for cleaning under furniture, an anti hair-wrap floorhead and comes with three detail tools including a mini motorized head for upholstery.

There's a voucher that knocks 30 off the already-affordable price of this corded stick vacuum. Enter code SAVE30 to claim. While there is a cord to contend with, corded vacuums typically deliver better suction, and you'll never have to worry about running out of juice, either. View Deal

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